Abstract: An article reader program of this invention comprises: detecting that a display of data concerning a first article is instructed by a user; calculating an article relevance degree between the first article and a second article; extracting the second article whose article relevance degree with the first article satisfies a predetermined condition in relation to the first article; assigning a top priority to the first article; assigning a priority lower than the top priority of the first article to the extracted second article; and displaying the data concerning the first article and data concerning the extracted second article according to the assigned priorities of the first article and the extracted second article.

Abstract: An automated canister reloading machine is able to reload a currency canister removed from an ATM. The reloading machine includes a supply of currency notes. The reloading machine can transfer currency notes from the supply into a storage area of the canister. The canister includes a memory that can store data representative of information concerning the canister, such as data representative of the type and number of currency notes held in the canister. The reloading machine is able to update the canister memory.

Abstract: A portable data processing device capable of acquiring images and supporting human hands includes a portable data processing module and a portable image acquiring module. The portable image acquiring module for scanning a document is mounted on a side surface of a base of the portable data processing module in order to support the human hands and make an operation interface, which is installed on the base, be easily operated.

Abstract: A security system for a transaction card having a magnetized strip, protection icon, account number, name, and expiration date displayed visually on an external portion of the card is provided. The protection icon is adjacent the account number. A personal identification number has at least three characters and is recorded on the magnetized strip along with the personal identification number, account number, name, and expiration date. The protection icon is adapted to activate a digital lock in the computerized terminal that disables any transfer of the account number, name, and expiration date if one or more characters of the personal identification number are present in the display. A processor is disposed inside the computerized terminal and is adapted to delete each of the characters of the uploaded personal identification number from the computerized terminal and each symbol from the display.

Abstract: An improved way to add a wireless peripheral to existing digital systems is taught. A small adapter is suitable for use suspended inline with the cables attached to it. The adapter has an embedded wireless port for receiving data from a wireless peripheral. The adapter further has an input connector for communicating with an existing wired peripheral and an output connector for communicating with the existing system unit. To add a wireless peripheral, the adapter is merely inserted between a wired peripheral and the system unit. The adapter may be plugged directly into the system unit where the cable of the wired peripheral formerly attached. Compared to prior art solutions, the concepts taught ease the installation of the wireless peripherals, lower the cost of the addition, and expand the placement freedom for the wireless peripheral's charging cradle.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a lockable first fascia portion (20) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device (104), inputs to which enable opening a chest door (18) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator (116) which enables moving a second fascia portion (22) for conducting service activities. A controller (72) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices (118, 126) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices (128) adjacent a card reader slot (28) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of unauthorized card reading devices. Servicing the machine is facilitated through use of a portable diagnostic article (98) which enables the controller to access diagnostic data stored in memory and which provides data indicative of the significance of the diagnostic data.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a secure transaction is disclosed. The apparatus includes an image capture device configured to capture an image, the image having information embedded therein, a memory configured to store predetermined information, an input unit configured to receive input information provided by a user, a processor configured to: verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the apparatus, and generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information, and an output unit configured to forward the output generated by the processor.

Abstract: A technique for automatically controlling a computer by the remote (or proximal or local) scanning of special coded-indicia to execute computer-stored programs directly and automatically in response to computer-translated instructions represented by the scanned coded indicia, such as the presentation of specified supplemental pictorial and other website stored materials to the reader of a book or magazine or the like containing such coded indicia keyed to said website, and more generally, to cause the computer automatically to execute desired programs in direct response to such coded indicia scanning.

Abstract: A method of generating a complex laser scanning pattern from a bioptical laser scanning system for providing 360° of omnidirectional bar code symbol scanning coverage at a point of sale station that employs a plurality of laser scanning stations about two independently controlled rotating polygonal mirrors. The system has an ultra-compact construction, ideally suited for space-constrained retail scanning environments, and generates a 3-D omnidirectional laser scanning pattern between the bottom and side-scanning windows during system operation. The laser scanning pattern of the present invention comprises a complex of laser scanning planes, including a plurality of substantially-vertical laser scanning planes for reading bar code symbols having bar code elements (i.e. ladder type bar code symbols) that are oriented substantially horizontal with respect to the bottom-scanning window, and a plurality of substantially-horizontal laser scanning planes for reading bar code symbols having bar code elements (i.e.

Abstract: A magnetic detection device has a roller unit to which conveying rollers are attached, a fixing unit that installs the roller unit movably in the direction to contact to or leave away from a magnetic head, and eccentric shafts that are provided rotatably between the fixing unit and the roller unit. This magnetic detection device has an adjusting means to adjust a gap between the magnetic head and the conveying roller by relatively moving the roller unit to against the fixing unit.

Abstract: A data acquisition device includes a housing, a card reader, a scanner, an electronic signature pad, and a data communication system. The card reader, the scanner, and the electronic signature pad are integrated with the housing and with the data communication system. The data communication system is configured to receive the data that is read by the card reader, the scanner, and the electronic signature pad, and to communicate the received data to a computer connected to the data acquisition device. The computer processes the data acquired by the data acquisition device with appropriate software.

Abstract: A system and method of completing a transaction involving goods tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) labels which uses a portal to read the RFID labels. The system includes a computer for obtaining label information read from radio frequency identification labels on products selected for purchase by a customer by a plurality of radio frequency identification label readers in a portal, for storing the label information with an identifier associating the customer with the label information in a transaction record, and for providing the label information to a transaction terminal so that the transaction terminal can determine prices associated with the products and process customer payment for the products.

Abstract: A TV includes a memory module including a mounting part detachably mounted with kinds of memory cards; an input part to receive an access command to access the memory card mounted thereon; and a signal processor operating data communication corresponding to the access command with the memory module after a predetermined delaying time is passed from an inputting moment of the access command when the access command is inputted through the input part. Thus the present invention provides a TV and control method thereof to stably access a memory card mounted on a multi-memory slot.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a demodulating circuit, a plurality of sampling circuits each capable of sampling output signals of the demodulating circuit, a plurality of detection circuits capable of detecting headers of output signals of the sampling circuits, a plurality of processing circuits capable of performing a predetermined data process based on the detection results of the detection circuits, and a circuit capable of determining a match to a preset communication method from results of the header detection by the detection circuits. By performing processes adapted to different communication methods in parallel, time required to establish a connection and enable information to be transmitted/received is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved scannable answer sheet or document suitable for a balloting process and a method for producing such document using a printing process, particularly a document that may be printed in a single color without impacting the ability of the document to be scanned by an automated mechanism.

Abstract: A dual card system for a portable device and a fixed terminal machine is disclosed. The dual card system includes a first card having a first substrate and a first integrated circuit (IC) provided with a first plurality of contacts on a top surface of the first substrate, and a second card having a second substrate and a second IC provided with a second plurality of contacts on a top surface of the second substrate. The second substrate is provided with a first plurality of pins on a bottom surface thereof, to be electrically coupled with the first plurality of contacts, respectively.

Abstract: An x-ray object scanning-tunnel system for automatically acquiring and linking object identity and attribute information about each object transported therethrough while bearing a bar code symbol and/or graphical indicia on the exterior surface thereof. The system comprises a scanning-tunnel housing through which one or more objects can be transported for capturing and processing digital images of the bar code symbol and/or identifying graphical indicia on the object so as to tread the bar code symbol and/or identifying graphical indicia, and identify the object by producing object identification information. An x-ray scanning subsystem mounted within the scanning-tunnel housing, produces an x-radiation energy beam for scanning the interior and/or contents of each object, and automatically generating x-radiation images of the object's interior and/or contents.

Abstract: The present invention provides alternative methods and systems for instantaneous initialization of financial presentation instruments, preferably stored value cards, gift cards, or other pre-paid debit cards. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for initializing financial presentation instruments is provided. The method comprises mailing a financial presentation instrument to a customer. At least an account identification (ID) associated with the presentation instrument, a monetary value to be loaded onto the presentation instrument, and a payment instrument from the customer is received. The presentation instrument is then initialized or activated to the monetary value. Typically, the receiving and initializing is carried out by an internet website, an interactive voice response (IVR) system, or a telephone customer service representative.

Abstract: The invention is a method of validating a label that includes the steps of reading a product-specific code disposed on an item; retrieving a stored verification code corresponding to the product-specific code; reading a label verification code disposed on a label having a serial number encoded thereon; and determining whether the stored and label verification code match. If the stored and label verification codes match, the label is considered valid. In one embodiment, once the label is validated, the product-specific code and the serial number may be combined to generate a unique item-level identification code for the particular item. The use of the stored verification code and label verification code may help prevent attaching an incorrect label to the item.

Abstract: An information entry and reporting system and method for tracking data associated with retail transactions at the point of sale. Transaction data is converted into a machine readable dataform pattern and printed onto a sales receipt provided to the purchaser. Subsequently, the purchaser uses a suitably configured scanning device to read the dataform pattern into his or her computer. Software algorithms decode the scanned dataform pattern, extract the transaction data and store it for subsequent analysis and reporting. The system includes a computer, software adapted to retrieve selected data, assemble the retrieved data in a format suitable for encoding and encode the data in a dataform pattern, a printer to print the encoded transaction data, a scanning device to capture the encoded data, software to decode the transaction data and software to display the data in human readable form.